Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called on the government to bring in a “triple-lock” protection to safeguard the capital’s three million private tenants from eviction.

Nearly a third of Londoners live in privately-rented homes and many will have seen their income drop as a result of the pandemic.

Khan says the current package of support will not be enough to prevent many households falling into financial hardship.

As part of the triple-lock the mayor is calling for ministers to immediately suspending the benefit cap; restoring Local Housing Allowance rates to median market rents and making up any shortfall in rents for any tenants still unable to cover their costs because of covid-19.

He says this could be achieved by setting aside LHA rates for those who are affected by coronavirus.

The mayor also wants the government to stop private landlords from evicting tenants who have built up arrears because of the impact of the virus once the temporary suspension of court action is lifted in June.

Khan says this could be achieved by making Section 8 discretionary in court proceedings.

He also wants the government to push ahead with the ban on so-called “no-fault” evictions under Section 21.

Khan says: “For too long, renters in the capital and across the country have been denied the security they need in the place they call home. The current crisis has brought these issues into stark relief.

“With millions of low paid renters in London now facing increased financial uncertainty we face a ticking timebomb of debt, arrears and widespread evictions once the suspension in court proceedings is lifted.

“The government must urgently put in place measures that will prevent private landlords from evicting tenants who go into arrears as a result of covid-19.

“Failing to bring in more support for renters will not only result in widespread financial hardship, but risks increasing the public health crisis, as renters may feel forced to return to work too soon with increasing debt and arrears hanging over their heads.”

Generation Rent policy manager Caitlin Wilkinson says: “Our homes are central to our fight against the coronavirus, but for many Londoners a secure home is simply out of reach. 

“London renters are facing huge shortfalls between their benefits and their housing costs, pushing them to choose between rent and essentials such as food. 

“Many simply aren’t able to pay the rent, and will be at risk of eviction and homelessness from June. 

“The government needs to step in and ensure housing benefit covers the rent, through removing benefit caps and increasing LHA. 

“We know there will always be some people who can’t claim benefits, which is why the added layer of protection from eviction is so important. 

“No one should face eviction, debt and homelessness in the midst of a pandemic.”

The National Residential Landlords Association supported calls for benefits to be increased but made no comment on the proposed eviction reforms, although it has previously lobbied against the ban on Section 21 possessions.

Chief executive Ben Beadle says: “Recent polling has indicated that just two per cent of private tenants have had to stop paying rent due to the pandemic whilst 78 per cent have not had to make any changes to their living situation. 

“This shows that the vast majority of tenancies are continuing as normal which we welcome.

“For those tenants who are struggling, by far the best solution is to ensure they are supported to prevent arrears building. 

“We therefore welcome the mayor’s calls to increase the Local Housing Allowance.

“In addition, we repeat our call on the Government to scrap the five-week wait for the first payment of Universal Credit immediately and ensure tenants can have the housing element of the Credit paid directly to their landlord if they wish.

“This would provide tenants and landlords with the confidence that rents are covered and debts will not arise.”